Song Shijin was born into poverty, but after catching the emperor's attention, he rose to the highest rank in the court in just three years.
For ten years as an official, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to his duties. But fate was cruel. Worn down by labor on a disaster-relief mission, he died before his time.
When the terrible news reached the capital, the entire city mourned.
The emperor was so devastated that he fainted from crying.
When he opened his eyes again, Song Shijin had returned to the fourth year of Yuanping.
He sat in silence through the night and decided to resign.
For no other reason than that he wanted to live.
Being the Zhao family's prime minister was just too hard.
The next day, after the court session, his resignation memorial was placed on the imperial desk.
But before he could even take a single step outside the palace walls, the emperor hurried after him.
He composed himself and steeled his resolve, reminding himself not to give in this time.
Before he could say no, the emperor rushed up to him and burst into tears. "Prime Minister, can you really bear to abandon me?!"
Seeing the emperor's face drenched in tears, he was bewitched for a moment. "Your Majesty, I won't leave."
After that, everything went just as it had in his previous life.
When a great drought struck, the emperor asked him, "Minister Song, what are we going to do?"
When a neighboring kingdom invaded, the emperor asked him, "Minister Song, what should we do?"
Even when the ministers petitioned to establish an empress, the emperor still asked him, "Minister Song, who should I choose?"
After being summoned to the palace late at night yet again, Song Shijin finally couldn't take it anymore and resigned once more.
In Yuanyang Hall, the emperor wept. "Minister Song, I can't live without you."
As the candlelight flickered, Song Shijin looked at the chest binding carelessly left beside the bed, his expression growing ever more complicated.
After that, they became a model of harmony between ruler and minister, and their story was celebrated as a beautiful tale.
Until one snowy night, Song Shijin burst into the hall to ask for a reward.
The emperor gazed at him and asked, "What do you want, Minister Song? I'll give you anything!"
Song Shijin stepped closer and bent down to kiss the emperor between the brows.
"I've served as your prime minister in two lifetimes and helped you bring peace to the realm. Now, all I ask for is Your Majesty."
[Reading Guide]
Also known as The Life of Prime Minister Song, Completely at the Emperor's Mercy
A delicate emperor who knows how to play vulnerable x an overworked prime minister who reeks of office life
One-on-one romance, both pure, comedic tone, light political intrigue.
Romance, not BL.
Expected total length: 200,000 words.
(This version of the blurb was written on May 24, 2026, and a screenshot has been archived.)
Theme: Cherish life.
